Posts By: Xin Xu

Cassandra Wang

Cassandra Wang hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.

In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.

Is it Safe to Eat Seafood?

I’ve always been a huge fan of seafood with its flavor and health benefits.  Fish are vitamin-rich and contain fewer calories and saturated fat than red meat.  When I’m cooking soups or brothy dishes, seafood adds an umami flavour that brings a complex flavor profile to everything I make.  However, as concerns about pollution, contaminants,… Read more »

The Secret to Growing Plants Faster at Home

We all know that healthy plants need sunlight, water, and fertilizer.  However, what if you don’t have the time to purchase topsoil and fertilizer to help the plants grow at a faster rate? I had this struggle as I was growing a number of indoor plants at home.  From herbs to non-flowering plants, one thing… Read more »

Ten Free Things to do in Vegas

Recently I had the chance to take my parents to Las Vegas.  It was a Christmas gift to them as they have never gone on any type of vacation for the last 10 years.  They’ve worked hard to support me and my sister and I decided to surprise them with some tickets to the entertainment… Read more »

Korean Short Rib Recipe

Korean short ribs, known as “Galbi” or “Kalbi,” are a popular and delicious dish in Korean cuisine.  Korean barbecue has a historical connection to the Korean royal court cuisine.  The custom of grilling meat at the table gained popularity in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty.  The technique of marinating meats likely evolved over time, influenced… Read more »

How to Quit Drinking Sugary Drinks

Sugar is an addiction.  While sugary foods can keep you full until you start eating again, sugary drinks are much sneakier, you may not know how much you’ve fully consumed since you don’t become full.  Frequently drinking sugary beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, type two diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, non-alcoholic liver disease… Read more »

Five Winter Skin Care Tips to Last You This Season

As Calgary got their first snow very recently, I found myself cranking up the furnace, which caused an increased bout of dryness and also a round of break-outs in acne.  Winter can be tough on the skin due to the colder temperatures and drier indoor climate.  The sudden change from warm to hot particularly can… Read more »

Four Gadgets to Maximize Productivity for Students

Some of my favourite gadgets are not fancy at all but are things that can help improve little aspects of your day whether from being more productive and focused while studying to not losing your most important belongings on campus. Air tag/Chipolo/Wireless location tags If you’re an AU student who has classes in person or… Read more »

Why Should You Travel More as a Student?

Traveling as a student can be one of the most rewarding things since, not only does it help with learning beyond the classroom, it contributes to so much more personal growth and development than people realize.  Given that COVID-19 pandemic is behind us (or less restricting than it once was), travel is a great way… Read more »

Fall Laksa Recipe

My favorite recipes to try in the fall include brothy, hearty, and warm soups.  Especially being a big fan of noodle soups, this recipe was naturally one I would enjoy preparing and savouring. Laksa is a popular and diverse dish that is widely enjoyed in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and… Read more »

Mooncakes and Mid-Autumn Festival

Having lived in Shanghai for seven years before moving to Canada, I can say that there are a few memorable festivals that our family celebrates every year.  The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a significant traditional celebration that has been observed for centuries in various East Asian countries.  This festival is… Read more »